11 Home remedies to remove body and facial hairs

Abnormal hair growth (on the face as well as the body) in women is called hirsutism. Individuals with dark hair or pigmentation are likely to be hairier than those with a lighter pigmentation or blonde hair.

People typically have hair almost everywhere on the body, except on the nails and eyeballs. Unwanted hair is a cause of embarrassment for many. It may not be detrimental to your health, but it can damage self-confidence. Thus, women do have facial hair, but it is usually only fine hair or peach fuzz. Unwanted facial hair can become an embarrassing beauty concern for women, especially when they age and their estrogen levels change due to menopause.

Several chemical-laden hair removal products in the market can remove hairs which may damage the sensitive skin in the long run. Here are 10 home remedies that you can do to remove excessive hairs.

1. Homemade sugar wax

via: sproutinghealthyhabits

This is a super easy and effective home remedy to get rid of unwanted facial hair. This is a natural version of the wax used in beauty salons, albeit much safer and better for the skin. It is made by heating a mixture of sugar, lemon, and water until the sugar melts and turns brown.

Another type of natural wax that can be used is honey wax. This is a mixture of honey, lemon, and sugar heated in a similar way. However, this is more expensive to make than sugar wax.

Mix two teaspoons of granulated sugar (brown or white) and one teaspoon each of honey and water. Heat the mixture in a microwave or on a stove for about half a minute until it bubbles and turns brown. Using a spatula, apply it on the areas where you want to remove the hair. Place a cloth strip over the sugar wax and smooth it out with your fingers in the direction of the hair growth. Finally, rip it off in the opposite direction of hair growth. Repeat as needed.

2. Turmeric

via: mediaindia.eu

Turmeric can be combined with a number of ingredients to get rid of unwanted facial hair naturally. Turmeric powder slows down the growth of facial hair and eventually stops it from re-growing. When mixed with water, milk, or yogurt, turmeric removes hair and prevents re-growth. This method is particularly effective if started at a young age. It also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that keep skin clear and healthy.

However, this remedy is for those who have very little hair on face or other body parts. If you have denser hair, turmeric has to be used with some other ingredients like gram flour, rice flour or ground oats along with milk.

Mix equal amounts of turmeric and whole wheat flour. Add sufficient sesame oil to make a thick paste. Smear it on your face and let it sit for about half an hour before scrubbing it off. Repeat the process once a week.

Alternatively, combine two teaspoons of turmeric powder with enough milk or rose water to make a paste. Apply it to your face and allow it to dry. Finally, scrub it off.

3. Chickpea Flour

via: ninamanolson

Chickpea flour, also known as gram flour and garbanzo beans flour, face pack will help exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin and hair. Plus, it can lighten the color of your skin and facial hair.

Take the chickpea flour in a bowl. Add turmeric, milk and fresh cream to this and mix well to make a smooth paste. Apply this paste on your face in the direction of your hair growth. Ensure you have all your hair covered. Leave it for about half an hour. After 30 minutes, start rubbing the flour mask with gentle hand in the opposite direction of your hair growth. If the paste has dried a lot, you may wet your fingers a little to rub your face. Afterwards, wash off your face with lukewarm water. Do this 3-4 times per week for a month.

Alternatively, mix one tablespoon of chickpea flour, one-half teaspoon of plain yogurt, and one-quarter teaspoon of turmeric. You can also add one-half teaspoon of rose water. Spread it on your face and leave it on for 20 minutes before scrubbing it off.

4. Lemon juice and sugar

Sugar acts as an excellent exfoliate due to its granular texture. Lemon juice in this mixture acts as an astringent. Lemon juice is also natural bleach which lightens the color of your facial hair. This method is perfect for lightening and removing unwanted facial hair, but it can also be used on other body parts. Sugar can be replaced by honey as well. Sticky property of honey makes hairs to come out easily.

Mix 2 tbsp. of sugar, 2 tbsp. of lemon juice, and 10 tbsp. of water, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Apply to face in the direction of hair growth. Leave on 15-20 minutes and wash off with water, rubbing gently. Repeat 2-3 times weekly for several weeks.

5. Egg Mask for facial hairs

via: m24digital

When it comes to stickiness, egg white is no less then sugar-honey. Egg white too dries off and sticks to your face and when you pull it, this mask will come up with hair on your face. This method requires some care, as egg white masks are very sticky and pulling one off is slightly painful. But it effectively removes unwanted hair along with other skin impurities.

Crack your egg into a bowl and remove the yolk. Add sugar and corn flour and stir to make a paste. Apply to face and let dry 15-20 minutes. Peel the mask off slowly and carefully. Repeat 3-4 times weekly.

6. Raw papaya

Papain is one of the active enzymes in papaya. It is capable of breaking down hair follicle and prohibits the growth of hair. Not only this makes your fine hair less noticeable but it also naturally exfoliates your skin to give it an improved texture. This remedy works for all skin types, including extremely sensitive skin. Use raw papaya for this procedure.

Make papaya paste by peeling and grinding raw papaya pieces. Mix turmeric powder with this raw papaya paste. Massage your face with this paste for about 15 minutes. Wash off with water. Do this once or twice a week.

Alternatively, apply a mixture of one-half cup of papaya pulp and one tablespoon of milk. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and then wash it off.

7. Alum and rosewater

via: popxo

Women in India have been using alum for centuries to remove hair from their faces, hands, and legs. It comes in rock or powder form. You can even ground rock alum to get this powder. Rosewater softens the skin, giving it a healthy glow.

Add 2-4 tbsp. of rosewater to ½ tbsp. of alum powder. With the help of a spoon, dissolve the powder into the rosewater, as much as you can. Now take the cotton ball and dip it in this water. Apply this rosewater mixed with alum powder on the body parts with unwanted hair. Let it sit there and when it dries off, apply again. Repeat this for about 50-60 minutes. However, if your skin is sensitive, don’t do it more than 15 minutes. Wash off and dab some olive oil or sesame oil to moisturize the area. Repeat this 2-4 times a week.

8. Potato and yellow lentil

Lentils make a facial scrub that’s rough as pumice stone. It creates a friction that cleanses and smooths skin while softening and removing unwanted hair. Potato contains natural bleaching agents. Combined with yellow lentil, it lightens and effectively removes hair from any area of the body. This is a natural Ayurvedic way of removing unwanted hair from face, legs and hands.

Ground the soaked yellow lentil to get its paste. Take the peeled and crushed potatoes and place onto the sieve. Press with hands or a spoon to extract its juice. Add honey, lemon, and potato juice to yellow lentil paste and mix well. Apply this paste on face, hands, and legs. Leave it for 15-20 minutes or till the time it dries off. Once it dries, remove the paste by rubbing it with fingers. The dry lentil paste will pull off the hair with it.

9. Spearmint Tea

Excess hair growth is often caused by excessive production of androgen in the body. Spearmint tea can help regulate hormone levels. Unwanted hair may be, sometimes, a result of excessive production of the hormone androgen. This is called Hirsutism, which refers to having excessive hair on the face, especially in women. Spearmint herb is known to regulate hormones and can help women with hirsutism.

Boil a cup of water. Add one teaspoon of dried spearmint to it. If you have fresh spearmint leaves, use four or five of them. Cover the container and let it steep for about five to 10 minutes. Strain and drink the tea. Have it twice daily.

10. Foods Rich in Phytoestrogens

Unwanted hair appears when a hormone imbalance causes an increase in male hormones like testosterone and a decrease in female hormones like estrogen. Phytoestrogen is a plant hormone similar to the female hormone oestrogen. It balances hormones and stops the growth of unwanted hair.

Flaxseeds, licorice, alfalfa, fennel, and soy products like soy milk and tofu, are all rich in phytoestrogen, and there are many ways to incorporate them into your daily diet. Drink them as herbal teas, add flaxseed powder to gravies and yogurts, or chew fennel seeds after meals.

11. Orange and lemon peel mask

via: awomanworld

Vitamin C in lemon and orange peels bleaches your facial hair in a natural way, making them invisible. They help get rid of undesired hair when mixed with some exfoliating agents.

Mix together 1 teaspoon each of lemon and orange peel, oatmeal and ground almond. Add 1 teaspoon each of olive oil and rose water to make a paste. Spread on your face. After 5 minutes, gently rub in circular strokes for 5-10 minutes. Rinse off with water. Use this paste on your face two-three times a week.